The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-09-01


Seventh. AS to agriculture. There is
not and never can be any conflict between
the political parties of this State upon the
profession of friendship for our agrlcultu-
raj interests. Upon their thrift is built
all prosperity. TO their protection the
Republican party has ever been devoted.
But when the Democratic party declares
its concern for the agricultural interests
of the State, it is well to remind the peo-
pie that Secretary Manning recommended |
to the Forty ninth Congress repeal OF |
tariff duties Oh wheat, oats, corn. hay and |
other farm products, and that they be |
placed on the free list, and that tea and |
coffee should be taxed as luXuries. AS MIR |
Cleveland endorsed this, aud as the Dem |
ocratic party of Virginia has endorsed Mr..
Cleveland. it may be we'll enough for the |
farmers to consider what this declaration
of friendlhip by the Roanoke platform is
worth. A friendship which would bring
the agricultural products of the world in
competition with our own in the home
market may prove costly to the farmer.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
Eight. AS to the question of friendship
to the laboring men. We feel that our
party, whose proudest motto is the Dig
nifty of American Labor and the Protec-
ion of American Industries, ut eds 10
vapid asseveration of friendship for the
laboring man. Such sweet assurances are
however, timely flom party whose ad-
ADMINISTRATION has indicted and prosecuted
cooperative labor, while 1T has brought
convict labor into active competition with
honest industry in town and country. and
whose membership is co ordinate III many
localities of this State with Law and Or
der Leagues, y instituted in opposition to
labor organizations.
Touching the resolution endorsing the
administration of FitZhugh Lee, Governor
of Virginia, as wise and judicious, y we
confess ourselves at loss to know what
thought or action of Governor Lee has
deserved such commentator. Since his
Inauguration he has shown himself lacking
in the ability or inclination to suggest any
thing for the relief Of this people in their
distress. He has invited public meetings
of the citizens in various cities and coun-
ties to protest against the payment OF
taxes in coupons. In turn, invited to lend
the weight and sanction Of his presence as
Governor at the meeting held i'll Richmond
pursuant TO his call, he pleaded pressing
official duties as an excuse for absence.
The morning journals of the following
day disclosed the fact that he was enjoy
ing the play at the Richmond Theatre
with boon companions at the moment his
excuses were being read to the people who
had convered upon his call to discuss their
poverty. lie invited the representatives
of the British bondholders to the capital
of Virginia. and while they were III Rich
mond awaiting the results of their efforts
at Il settlement with the State, involving
millions 1.-The public press announced Gov
ernOr Lee absent from his Common wealth,
officiating as judge of horse race at
Washington. D. G. He has used the State
boards. which he appoints, to reward bro
ken down military friends, and incapable
aristOcrat5, and, in several notable lnstan-
ces. to accomplish his own political and
private ends. The sole monument OF his
administration, so far. is an elevator in
the Capitol. constructed for his con-
venience. His chief employment i'll office
has been self display and Junketlng with
associates unqualified to advise or Instruct
him in the serious duties of his high office.
From the date of his inauguration he has
''fiddled while Rome is burning" and frlv-
olOuS levity is the chief charistic OF his
term. Such trillng with grave and sad
public interests may be CLOSED over by
Democratic managers with an endorsement
as ''WiSe and judicious." 1t remains to
be seen whether it fills the measure of what
S3e people expected from the nephew OF
Robert Y. A.ee. For ourselves we regret
that Democratic endorsement of him has
necessitated tins restrained censure of his
administration.
THE SURPLUS-OYSTERS.
Touching the denunciation of the sur
plus in the Treasury, the people of Vir
ginia will recall the fact that the accumu-
latlon OF this surplus was leading count
in the Democratic Indictment of Repubii
cans in the campaign of 1854 and some
further apologies and explanations will
doubtless be called for from the Demo-
cratic leaders rs to why this surplus is so
much larger now under Democratic ad-
mlnistration than it was three years ago.
Touching the pledge of the Roanoke
platform to protect and foster oysters, We
confess that 1t is wise, if not important,
in the present crisis OF our State affairs
So much, then. for the platform of apol-
Ogies and explanations upon which the
Democratic party goes before the people
in the present campaign, We respectfully
suggest. however. that it should have eX
tended those apologies and explanations to
a number of other things in Which the
people of Virginia are interested.
1t was reasonable to expect that party
which has been in legislative control for
four years past would render some account
of Its Stewardship.
THE RECORD OF OUR LEGISLATURE.
This people have the right to know what
has become of the ST. .543. 7l2 q which was
Gratis re-entered the Capitol. and what has
been done with the taxes since collected,
amounting to over So 900 900: and why
there is now so little money in the treasury.
with yet an accumulation of overdue and
unpaid interest in the same period in
creasing the State debt four and half
millions
They have a right to information as to
why the annual costs of. administering the
Government have increased from $50, 900
IT, which sum the Republican party had
reduced Jhem) to over 81 100000.
They are entitled to some explanation
and apology as to why the jails are again
filled with lnnatics, and why these unfor-
Inmates are unprovided with accommoda-
ton in the asylums.
They had right to expect some expla-
nation wherefore two Legislatures sat SO
often and so Lonesome apology for the
failure to enact any measure touching the
interests of the peOple-and some account
of the public money thus wasted.
They demand explanation and apology
for the continuance of the infamous An
derson- Mccormick bill. which makes fair
elections impossible. A measure like this,
passed in a moment of high political eX
element and passion. is ineXcusable. even
if it had been repealed when passion sub
sided and reason returned: but when it is
deliberately perpetuated it displays the
malicious purpose of hearts devoid of
social duty and fatally bent upon mischief.
twas their right to know why warrants
issued for the pay of the teachers in the
public schools are no longer cashed promp-
ly by the collecting officers of the revenue,
but are left to the mercies of the shaver
and this. too. under an assessed taxation of
1925 900 year greater than formerly. III
contempt of the Democratic pledge not to
increase taxes.
1t was their right to have some expla
nation of the disposition of the money
which has been paid from the Treasury Of
the State to employ lawyers to defend her
interests in litigation because CT the igno-
rance, infdelity. and utter incompetency
of the person holding the office of Attorney
General.
They had a right to expect some expla>
nation of the facts and circumstances I'M
der which. as is publicly charged by a
Democratic Legislator. that the Attorney
General and the Speaker of the Democratic
House of Delegates secured the passage of
a railroad hill in which one Or both of